The mother of a toddler who was shot while playing in her driveway at dusk said Wednesday she is distraught, yet grateful, that her daughter survived a bullet to her back.

"My head been messed up ever since 7 last night," LaTasha Thompson told our news partnersWVUE | Fox 8 News. "It's like my world just got flipped upside down. I wouldn't wish this on nobody. This is crazy."

Thompson said she was at a store buying medicine when her 3-year-old daughter was struck by gunfire from two men who police say opened fire around 7:20 p.m. on a group of people in the 1300 block of South Salcedo Street in Gert Town. A 15-year-old boy was shot in the hip and leg and was listed in stable condition. A 16-year-old boy, who was shot in the stomach, remained in critical condition Wednesday (July 9), authorities said.

None of the victims were related to each other, police said, and investigators were not sure whether the intended target was hit.

Police are searching for two gunmen who were seen fleeing the scene in a white 2008 four-door Nissan Murano with a sunroof.

Crimestoppers announced Wednesday the organization is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case. That's double the reward typically offered for information contributing to indictments.

Commander Robert Bardy, who supervises the NOPD's 6th District which covers Uptown neighborhoods, said the investigation was moving "at a very good speed," but urged the community to call in tips. He noted the neighborhood has had more than its share of child shooting victims in recent years, including several who have died before age 6.

Police ask the community to come forwardPolice Superintendent Ronal Serpas told reporters outside the crime tape that he hoped the community would come forward with information to help the police, as has happened in other instances when children were shot.

"Unfortunately, Central City has experienced this -- from Jeremy Galmon to Keira Holmes to Briana (Allen) right on the corner -- we have experienced this possibly more than any other district and it's something you never get past and never become callous to," Bardy said.

"When you go and see a casket that's only this long (child-size), it'll tear the soul out of you. When something like this happens, the community tends to rally around us."

Between tears, the wounded girl's mother, speaking to reporters outside Interim LSU Hospital, described her emotions when she first heard that someone had shot her daughter, Nat'Tasha "Minnie" Thompson.

"When people get a phone call like that, people automatically assume the worst," she said. "You know, that's a little baby -- her body's so small. She's all right though, you know, I'm grateful. It's just not nothing for no parent to go through."

She said her daughter is recovering from surgery and can now breathe on her own, but doctors are still monitoring her.

She said her daughter would likely have a long road to recovery ahead of her. She wants to move her family out of the neighborhood now.

The wounded toddler never met her father, Nathaniel Allen, who was shot dead at 25 in March 2010 in Hollygrove. Thompson's mother was a few months pregnant with her at the time.

"It's just too much," the mother said. "Too much."

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Authorities ask anyone with information on this shooting to call NOPD's 6th District at 504.658.6060 or Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111.